Lake Tekapo

5th January 

This is Lake Pukaki near where I camped.

I Love people watching. Just observing human behaviour. I find it fascinating that in a huge campground, no matter where you park up, people will tend to park near you, even if there is tonnes of space elsewhere. 

Not that I mind.....I suppose it's comforting in a way.  An endorsement that you're not in the wrong place. Not defying convention.

These campgrounds are pretty basic. No facilities like showers etc,  even the paid ones, but they do have toilets. I'm impressed by New Zealand's toilets. They have them everywhere, even in places you don't expect, like up mountain trails, and they always have toilet paper. Even the basic 'long drop' ones. Lots have sinks, soap and hand dryers......little things.

Some of the reviews on wikicamps make me chuckle......like people complaining that the toilets have too many flies in them.....what do they expect?

I found some weird ones that talk to you like you're on some futuristic space ship! Like something out of an episode of 'Red Dwarf '

I couldn't get a good video, going in, people were giving me funny looks 🤣 

I have also felt more relaxed driving here, as there are plenty of passing places. If people are getting too close, i just pull in & let them pass.

It's kind of fun to see all the different vans from the rental companies. I'm sure some I've followed visiting the same places. 

And silly, but it feels good to get a wave from a passing fellow 'travellers-autobarn' car or van.

I was going to go to Mount Cook today, and walk, but the forecast was cloudy and I thought maybe the views of the mountains wouldn't be good, so I visited Lake Tekapo instead.

Its a huge glacial lake with turquoise coloured water because of the silt (ground up rock) suspended in the water, called 'glacial flour', which reflects the blue/green part of the light spectrum.

On a cloudy day like today, it wasn't quite as blue, apart from here by the bridge

I was doing quite a bit of people watching today just sitting by the lake.

It always amazes me how people are quite obsessed with getting the perfect picture of themselves in holiday locations. I don't see the attraction myself. 

Yes! we can see you were there - you took the photo right! I want pictures of the beautiful thing or place & I am terrible for taking way too many photos! Guilty as charged!

But why do you want yourself in a daft pose or with your fingers pointing to the thing you're photographing. Not wanting to sound racist, but the chinese/asian are obsessive about it. It's like a mission to get the perfect shot! They sometimes get quite angry with their family member, if they don't get it right.

This lady wanted a video/picture of her skimming the stones - oh the palaver!

....... also power-tools! I can never escape them, no matter where I go!

Moaning over, (after a few tears - which i won't dwell on - just sad thoughts) my day was quite chilled, strolling along the lake side. 

See......too many photos, and they never look as good as with the eye.

There was a little church there, with a man inside telling stories about the settlers and the lake. He was English, married to a Kiwi. 

I discovered what these are for

I'd seen them in parks everywhere. 

........any guesses?

They are to throw a Frisbee into! To play a kind of Frisbee golf.

After lunch I was feeling sleepy so I drove to a quieter spot & had a nap.

I finished my book & went for a swim in the lake which was literally glacial!! It was very cold. But refreshing & I felt great after!

Then back to the 'gravel drive' campsite again for dinner outside & watch the sunset over the mountains. 

The same couple parked next to me, in nearly the same spot.......see, creatures of habit all!